PSALM 22[U][Psalm 22] A lament unusual in structure and in intensity of feeling. The psalmist’s present distress is contrasted with God’s past mercy in Ps 22:2–12. In Ps 22:13–22 enemies surround the psalmist. The last third is an invitation to praise God (Ps 22:23–27), becoming a universal chorus of praise (Ps 22:28–31). The Psalm is important in the New Testament. Its opening words occur on the lips of the crucified Jesus (Mk 15:34; Mt 27:46), and several other verses are quoted, or at least alluded to, in the accounts of Jesus’ passion (Mt 27:35, 43; Jn 19:24).The Prayer of an Innocent Person221For the leader; according to “The deer of the dawn.” [V][22:1] The deer of the dawn: apparently the title of the melody. A psalm of David.I2My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?Why so far from my call for help,from my cries of anguish?3My God, I call by day, but you do not answer;by night, but I have no relief.4Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One;you are the glory of Israel.5In you our fathers trusted;they trusted and you rescued them.6To you they cried out and they escaped;in you they trusted and were not disappointed.7[W][22:7] I am a worm, not a man: the psalmist’s sense of isolation and dehumanization, an important motif of Ps 22, is vividly portrayed here.But I am a worm, not a man,scorned by men, despised by the people.8All who see me mock me;they curl their lips and jeer;they shake their heads at me:9“He relied on the LORD—let him deliver him;if he loves him, let him rescue him.”10For you drew me forth from the womb,made me safe at my mother’s breasts.11Upon you I was thrust from the womb;since my mother bore me you are my God.12Do not stay far from me,for trouble is near,and there is no one to help.II13Many bulls[X][22:13–14] Bulls: the enemies of the psalmist are also portrayed in less–than–human form, as wild animals (cf. Ps 22:17, 21–22). surround me;fierce bulls of Bashan[Y][22:13–14] Bashan: a grazing land northeast of the Sea of Galilee, famed for its cattle, cf. Dt 32:14; Ez 39:18; Am 4:1. encircle me.14They open their mouths against me,lions that rend and roar.15Like water my life drains away;all my bones are disjointed.My heart has become like wax,it melts away within me.16As dry as a potsherd is my throat;my tongue cleaves to my palate;you lay me in the dust of death.[Z][22:16] The dust of death: the netherworld, the domain of the dead.17Dogs surround me;a pack of evildoers closes in on me.They have pierced my hands and my feet18I can count all my bones.They stare at me and gloat;19they divide my garments among them;for my clothing they cast lots.20But you, LORD, do not stay far off;my strength, come quickly to help me.21Deliver my soul from the sword,my life from the grip of the dog.22Save me from the lion’s mouth,my poor life from the horns of wild bulls.III23Then I will proclaim your name to my brethren;in the assembly I will praise you:[A][22:23] In the assembly I will praise you: the person who offered a thanksgiving sacrifice in the Temple recounted to the other worshipers the favor received from God and invited them to share in the sacrificial banquet. The final section (Ps 22:24–32) may be a summary or a citation of the psalmist’s poem of praise.24“You who fear the LORD, give praise!All descendants of Jacob, give honor;show reverence, all descendants of Israel!25For he has not spurned or disdainedthe misery of this poor wretch,Did not turn away[B][22:25] Turn away: lit., “hides his face from me,” an important metaphor for God withdrawing from someone, e.g., Mi 3:4; Is 8:17; Ps 27:9; 69:18; 88:15. from me,but heard me when I cried out.26I will offer praise in the great assembly;my vows I will fulfill before those who fear him.27The poor[C][22:27] The poor: originally the poor, who were dependent on God; the term (‘anawim) came to include the religious sense of “humble, pious, devout.” will eat their fill;those who seek the LORD will offer praise.May your hearts enjoy life forever!”IV28All the ends of the earthwill remember and turn to the LORD;All the families of nationswill bow low before him.29For kingship belongs to the LORD,the ruler over the nations.30[D][22:30] Hebrew unclear. The translation assumes that all on earth (Ps 22:27–28) and under the earth (Ps 22:29) will worship God.All who sleep in the earthwill bow low before God;All who have gone down into the dustwill kneel in homage.31And I will live for the LORD;my descendants will serve you.32The generation to come will be told of the Lord,that they may proclaim to a people yet unbornthe deliverance you have brought.